MADINAH, 18 April — A senior civic official accused of spitting in the face of a policeman has been given a punishment transfer, according to informed sources. The municipal chairman of Mahd Al-Dhahab, 280 km south of Madinah city, was charged with preventing police sergeant Dhiyab Ghazi from carrying out his duty.
Ghazi said the agonizing situation arose when he tried to book the official for not wearing the seat belt while driving to the governor’s office in Madinah. The governor had instructed the police not to allow anyone driving without fastening the seat belt to enter his office premises, he said.
Ghazi said when he requested the municipal head to fasten his seat belt citing the governor’s order, he flew into a fit of rage. The official spat in his face and showered him with abuse, he added.
The policeman complained to the governor and the police chief. Several government officials intervened to heal the rift. The policeman was reportedly offered SR50,000 to withdraw his complaint, but he did not budge. Ghazi was awarded SR5,000 in compensation and a medal in recognition of his unflinching resolve to enforce the law.
